Art and performance classes are mostly limited to specific majors, but with the new ASI 341 (section 03) course titled Transformational Experience, any student can be an artist.

Michael Bashaw, an internationally-known sculptor and musician, will teach this experimental fine arts class next semester in which students will be able to do a wide arrange of art, performance and service both at UD and in the surrounding community.

"The whole point of the class is transformation of face and self," Bashaw said. "It will entail sculpting and performance but is not limited to these certain areas."

ASI 341 will be conducted outside of the classroom. Bashaw plans to use the entire campus and the city of Dayton as his canvas.

Because it is experimental, as the class progresses and evolves, students will be assigned new projects to transform the community, Bashaw said.

Bashaw said he wants his students' work to "make a monumental effect."

"I really want to create a course that is interesting and creative but also focuses on working as a collective," he said.

Bashaw said part of his intention is to allow those who take the course to help all members of the community beyond just at UD.

Over the course of the semester, Bashaw said he hopes to create a new sense of community by "engaging work in the community at large and straighten[ing] the limits at what might be perceived as art."

This isn't the first time Bashaw has worked with UD to expand students' minds.

He has been involved in UD's art series and classes since the early 2000s.

He even put on an improvised show at the Fieldhouse that consisted of a large-scale shadow play, Bashaw's musical sculptures, several dance pieces with one involving an attack dog and large student-made puppets that moved throughout the audience.

Registration for Bashaw's class will start this semester and if successful, it will be offered to students every semester after.

Classes will be held 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Monday and 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday in ArtStreet studios B and E.

"There are no prerequisites for this course, and it is open to all students, regardless of major." said Susan Byrnes, ArtStreet director. "The only requirement is to bring energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to collaborate with others on creative work."

To learn more about Bashaw and his work, go to http://www.puzzleoflight.com.

For more information on Bashaw's course, call (937) 229-5101 or e-mail artstreet@udayton.edu.